Japan kicked off their Kirin Challenge Cup campaign with a win against New Zealand, with Yuya Osako and Shu Kurata securing a 2-1 win on Friday.

After a first half without goals, FC Koln star Osako netted the Samurai Blue’s first from the penalty spot - an opener that was cancelled out by Chris Wood’s strike before the hour mark.

It then fell to Gamba Osaka man Kurata to notch the winner in the 86th minute, just moments after he came off the bench to replace Yosuke Ideguchi.

Vahid Halilhodzic’s men will next face Haiti in the second game of the friendly tournament next Tuesday.